Albert Barnes Commentary Jeremiah 39
Albert Barnes Commentary
Jeremiah 39
Albert Barnes Commentary
Jeremiah 39
"And it came to pass when Jerusalem was taken, (in the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and besieged it;" — Jeremiah 39:1 (ASV)
Concerning "The Capture of Jerusalem": Most of the details given in Jeremiah 39:1-14 appear again (as indicated by a marginal reference), and some regard this passage as an interpolation. However, the external evidence from the ancient versions supports its authenticity.
Jeremiah 39:14 can be reconciled with Jeremiah 40:1-4 by remembering that Gedaliah had left Jerusalem and gone to Mizpah (Jeremiah 40:6), a nearby city. Since he was not at home to protect the prophet, it is highly probable that Jeremiah, along with the main body of captives, was brought to Ramah in chains.
"that all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, [to wit], Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarsechim, Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, with all the rest of the princes of the king of Babylon." — Jeremiah 39:3 (ASV)
These princes were four:
- Nergal, Sharezer, that is, Nirgal-sar-usur (May Nergal protect the king);
- Samgar-Nebo (Be gracious, O Nebo);
- Sarsechim. No explanation is given at present for this name. He was Rab-saris, that is, chief of the eunuchs (see note on 2 Kings 18:17).
- Another Nergal-sharezer, who was Rab-mag, that is, chief of the Magians. He is known in history as Neriglissar, the son-in-law of Nebuchadnezzar, and probably his vicegerent during Nebuchadnezzar's seven years of madness. Two years after Nebuchadnezzar's death, Neriglissar murdered Evil-Merodach, Nebuchadnezzar's son, and seized the crown. However, after a reign of four years, he was killed in battle against Cyrus, when disputing with him the crown of Media. See note on Daniel 5:1.
The middle gate — Probably that which separated the city of Zion from the lower town.
"And it came to pass that, when Zedekiah the king of Judah and all the men of war saw them, then they fled, and went forth out of the city by night, by the way of the king`s garden, through the gate betwixt the two walls; and he went out toward the Arabah. But the army of the Chaldeans pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath; and he gave judgment upon him. Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes: also the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah. Moreover he put out Zedekiah`s eyes, and bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon. And the Chaldeans burned the king`s house, and the houses of the people, with fire, and brake down the walls of Jerusalem. Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the residue of the people that remained in the city, the deserters also that fell away to him, and the residue of the people that remained. But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people, that had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time." — Jeremiah 39:4-10 (ASV)
Compare the marginal reference. The differences between the two accounts are slight.
"So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard sent, and Nebushazban, Rab-saris, and Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, and all the chief officers of the king of Babylon;" — Jeremiah 39:13 (ASV)
Nebuzar-adan is in the inscriptions Nabu-zir-iddina (Nebo has given offspring); and Nebushasban, Nabu-sizibanni (Nebo save me), whom some identify with Sarsechim (Jeremiah 39:3).
"they sent, and took Jeremiah out of the court of the guard, and committed him unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, that he should carry him home: so he dwelt among the people." — Jeremiah 39:14 (ASV)
Jeremiah was to be taken out of the court of the watch, and placed in the palace close by.
He lived among the people—that is, he was no longer in custody, but master of his own actions.
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